Ahmedabad: Stavya Spine Hospital, a renowned leader in exclusive spine care for over two decades, has introduced the Open Standing Weight Bearing MRI(Manufactured by Esaote SpA Italy) to its suite of advanced diagnostic tools. This innovative technology, designed specifically to meet the unique demands of spine diagnostics, enables imaging in standing, sitting and supine positions, offering new dimensions in evaluating spine conditions. The addition of this tool underscores Stavya’s commitment to ethical care, transparency, and advancing patient outcomes.

Transforming Diagnostics with Open Standing MRI
Unlike conventional MRIs, which require patients to lie flat for higher-resolution imaging, the Open Standing Esaote’s MRI allows for weight-bearing assessments of the spine. This machine is particularly suited to dynamic evaluations of conditions such as scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal instability. For patients with claustrophobia or anxiety about traditional MRI machines, the Open Standing MRI provides a more comfortable and open environment. Additionally, this technology can also be used to image the knee and hip in weight-bearing positions, offering valuable insights into joint health.

Dr. Mirant Dave, Spine Surgeon at Stavya, explained, “Our diagnostic philosophy is rooted in understanding how the spine functions under real-life conditions. The Open Standing Esaote’s MRI helps us evaluate the behavior of the spine under load, which is invaluable when determining whether a condition requires surgical intervention or can be managed conservatively. This is another step in our mission to deliver ethical, evidence-based care.” The Open Standing MRI is an essential tool for conditions where dynamic, functional imaging is critical.

Advanced Spine Care at Stavya
Stavya Spine Hospital has set itself apart as a center of excellence for spine care, combining cutting-edge technology, expert medical professionals, and a patient-first philosophy. As the only hospital in India exclusively dedicated to spine care, Stavya offers a comprehensive range of advanced treatments and diagnostics:
• Robotics in Spine Surgery: Revolutionizing complex procedures with enhanced precision and minimal risk.
• Endoscopic Spine Surgery: Delivering minimally invasive solutions for faster recovery and reduced discomfort.
• German Advanced Physiotherapy: Employing structured, evidence-based rehabilitation techniques for long-term recovery.
These technologies and techniques have been meticulously integrated into Stavya’s framework to provide a holistic approach to spine care. Every patient’s journey—from diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation—is tailored to their specific needs, ensuring optimal outcomes and long-term spine health.

Dr. Bharat Dave, Director and Spine Surgeon, remarked, “At Stavya, we have always prioritized integrating the best of technology, talent, and treatment methods to provide our patients with comprehensive spine care. The Open Standing MRI complements this approach, helping us better understand and treat conditions that require dynamic imaging.”

The Team of Experts at Stavya
Stavya Spine Hospital prides itself on its team of highly skilled spine surgeons and physiotherapists who are dedicated to providing the best care. The surgical team includes:
• Dr. Bharat Dave
• Dr. Mirant Dave
• Dr. Ajay Krishnan
• Dr. Hitesh Modi
• Dr. Shivanand Mayi
• Dr. Raviranjan Rai
• Dr. Mukesh Patel
• Dr. Devanand Degulmadi

Together, this team brings decades of experience and expertise in managing complex spine conditions through advanced surgical techniques and ethical decision-making. The team’s collaborative approach ensures every patient receives the most effective care, whether surgical or conservative.

Stavya also boasts a world-class physiotherapy team, led by Dr. Akruti Dave, that works in close coordination with the surgeons to create comprehensive rehabilitation plans. Their focus is on ensuring patients regain optimal mobility and strength, whether recovering from surgery or managing their condition through conservative means.

Physiotherapy and Spine Health Checkups
Physiotherapy is a cornerstone of spine care, and Stavya emphasizes its role in both surgical and non-surgical treatment plans. Tools like the Open Standing MRI are invaluable for understanding a patient’s functional limitations and tailoring rehabilitation programs accordingly.

Dr. Akruti Dave, Head of Physiotherapy, shared, “Physiotherapy plays a vital role in improving patient outcomes. The Open Standing MRI helps us assess the mechanical and functional aspects of the spine more effectively, which is essential in designing personalized recovery plans. It also enhances our ability to help patients who are pursuing conservative care options.”

In addition to rehabilitation, Stavya has introduced Spine Health Checkups, a comprehensive program aimed at early detection and prevention of spine-related issues. The Open Standing MRI plays a central role in these checkups by offering dynamic imaging that uncovers subtle abnormalities and helps guide proactive treatment.
Dr. Akruti Dave added, “Spine Health Checkups are critical for detecting problems early, especially in individuals with sedentary lifestyles, poor posture, or chronic back pain. The Open Standing MRI allows us to offer patients a detailed understanding of their spine health, enabling timely interventions that can prevent further complications.”

Two Decades of Trust and Global Impact
Stavya Spine Hospital has built a legacy of trust over 20 years, treating thousands of patients from across India and the world. Patients turn to Stavya not only for its advanced technology but also for the hospital’s unwavering commitment to ethical, patient-first care.
In addition to its clinical impact, Stavya has been instrumental in training over 100 spine surgeons, many of whom now practice internationally. This focus on education and mentorship has helped Stavya contribute to the global advancement of spine care, ensuring its expertise reaches far beyond the hospital’s walls.

A Vision for the Future: Asia’s Largest Exclusive Spine Hospital
Looking to the future, Stavya is preparing to launch a new Center of Excellence in 2025, which will be the largest exclusive spine hospital in Asia. This landmark facility will expand Stavya’s capabilities, featuring advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies, increased capacity for patient care, and dedicated spaces for research and education. This project underscores Stavya’s ambition to remain at the forefront of spine care globally.
Mrs. Amita Dave, Managing Director, stated, “As we prepare for this new chapter, our focus remains on maintaining the trust of our patients. The Open Standing MRI is more than just a new diagnostic tool—it reflects our values of transparency, ethics, and a commitment to providing the most appropriate care for each individual.”

The Value of Transparency in Diagnostics
At Stavya, transparency is central to its care philosophy. The introduction of the Open Standing MRI is no exception. By openly sharing the specifications and purpose of this tool, Stavya ensures patients understand its role in their diagnostic journey.

Dr. Preety Krishnan, Radiologist, explained, “The Open Standing MRI is an important tool for specific spine conditions that require imaging in natural, weight-bearing positions. It’s ability to provide functional insights into the spine’s behavior is invaluable for certain diagnoses. This transparency helps patients feel confident and informed about their care.”

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Noida-based Healthcare Services Startup, FirstCure Health that makes advanced surgical care available to all by providing best doctors, accurate consultation, right treatment at affordable prices, is helping HIV patients in getting surgical care services.

South and South-East Asia is an epicentre of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic; with India estimated to have the largest burden. People suffering from HIV infection face discrimination, stigmatization and denial (DSD). They continue to be burdened by poor care and inadequate services, finding it tough to get their surgical needs addressed. Currently, there’s no cure for HIV/AIDS.

Also Read: How AIDS can be managed by yoga and diet therapy? 

Carrying out surgeries or treatments for HIV positive patients needs certain special facilities, equipment and training to be able to provide the right care while ensuring the safety of the treating team. Further, the safety protocols demand a lot of disposable material and sanitization of OT and all equipment which involves significantly higher costs. Most small and mid-sized hospitals and nursing homes are not equipped with such facilities and therefore, are unable to provide treatment to such patients making it difficult for the patient to get timely and quality treatment.

“Few months ago, when an HIV positive patient inquired with us for a Hernia surgery, we learnt from him the problems he was facing in finding a hospital and doctor who could carry out his surgery without him having to incur significantly higher costs. We were quick to realize that this is a common problem being faced by such patients and developed a network trained staffto handle such cases. We promote minimal invasive methods even more in such cases to ensure higher safety”, says Nikhil Bansal, Founder and CEO, FirstCure Healthcare.

FirstCure Health has created a network of such senior surgeons and hospitals in Delhi NCR which have the trained staff, facilities and equipment to provide quality treatment at reasonable costs to the patients affected by HIV. Now patients with HIV need not to worry about finding a doctor or hospital where they can get treatments and can simply rely on FirstCure Health for these needs.

FirstCure Health, founded in 2021  is a multi-specialty healthcare startup that provides and simplifies the surgery experience by bringing together some of the best surgeons, most modern and safe procedures at affordable costs while ensuring that the patient is in safe hands at every step and the experience is hassle free.

The startup offers a range of medical services under one umbrella and specializes in elective procedures in Proctology, Laparoscopy, ENT, Gynecology, Urology, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology and Cosmetology. After starting with a couple of hospitals and few doctors and specialties in Bhopal in December 2021, by April 2022, FirstCure has over 40 surgeons, 40+ hospitals and clinics catering to 50 different kinds of treatments in entire New Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, Faridabad and Bhopal.

For more details, please visit:
http://www.firstcurehealth.com

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Health is not gender-specific. It is important for everyone to get a regular check-up regardless of age, gender, and have a balanced diet. Multiple studies show that men are ignorant about health and are highly susceptible to a lot of health problems. However, feeling healthy and being healthy are different terms, and ignoring symptoms until it gets worse can complicate the body. To lead a healthy life, we have to work on our body while we are young. Hitting 40 also indicates health has a pivotal role and ignoring it might cost our lives.  If you experience any of these signs, consider getting a health check-up done immediately

Difficulty in passing urine

Frequent urine, feeling thirsty, pain while passing urine, are some of the signs that could possibly indicate signs of trouble. For example, a blood spot in urine can be a sign of some infection, or in some cases, be one of the early signs of prostate cancer or kidney stones. Frequent visits to the loo can be a sign of a bladder infection, urinary tract infection, diabetes, or indicate something wrong with your kidneys or the heart. This is one of the main signs of prostate cancer, which is the most diagnosed cancer in all men. Common signs and symptoms of Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) include frequent or urgent need to urinate, increased frequency of urination at night (nocturia), difficulty starting urination, dribbling at the end of urination, and incapability to fully clear the bladder.

Also Read: Urinary tract infections in Men 

Enlarged testicles and unnoticing moles

The testicles are very sensitive, and even a minor injury can cause testicle pain or discomfort. Having enlarged testicles is one of the main symptoms of testicular cancer. It is one of the rare diseases. Testicular lumps are common aged between 15 years to 34 years. Any moles or changes in skin texture, lumps, or swelling in other parts of the body should not be ignored for long as well. Few signs of testicular cancer include a lump or enlargement in either testicle, a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum, a dull ache in the abdomen or groin, sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum, pain or discomfort in a testicle or the scrotum. It is curable if treated at an early stage.

Erectile dysfunction

Diseases that can cause erectile dysfunction include diabetes, heart disease, atherosclerosis, kidney disease, neurologic disease, chronic alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, and vascular disease. These conditions affect a man’s ability to achieve an erection by damaging nerves, smooth muscles, arteries, and tissues. Erectile dysfunction is a common issue men face with age, but a lot of people do not consider it as a medical condition. Conditions like severe diabetes, any form of addiction lead to erectile dysfunction. Stress is another reason for this.

Also Read: Female Sexual Dysfunctions: An Obstacle In The Way Of Happiness

Excessive thirst

It’s important to intake 2-3 Litres of water (or, at least 8-10 glasses) every day. While it’s common to feel thirsty some days, chronically experiencing excessive thirst or drinking too much water in a day may be a warning sign of hyperglycemia. A family with a diabetes history should get checked immediately and follow up with the doctor. A man should drink lots of water to maintain his health. However, excessive thirst is also an indication of possible internal bleeding, severe infection, or a failure of the heart, liver, or kidneys.

Peyronie’s disease (Penile Curvature)

It is a condition resulting from fibrous scar tissue that develops on the penis and causes curved penis which leads to painful erections. This can prevent having sex or might make it difficult to maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction). For many men, Peyronie’s disease also causes stress and anxiety. Erections can also be challenging if the nerves or blood vessels of the penis have been damaged by inflammation or trauma to the penis, which is associated with Peyronie’s disease. Few symptoms include a lump in the penis, shortening of the penis, soft erections, and narrowing of the penis shaft. Massage and a few exercises recommended by doctors can treat this disease.

Low Testosterone

Testosterone plays a vital role in men’s bodies, including muscle and bone health, cognition, red blood cell, and sperm formation, and sexual and reproductive function in males. However, testosterone levels can decline for various reasons, including stress, aging, and certain health conditions, such as hypogonadism. Symptoms include extra body weight, loss of muscle, low sex drive, low ejaculation volume, and deprived sleep. Though hair loss is hereditary, low testosterone also plays a role.

Dr. Govardhan Reddy, Bengaluru

Lead Consultant – Urology & Uro Oncology

The post Men’s Health : Symptoms that you should not ignore appeared first on Health Vision.

India is battling a major uphill war with infertility with over 19 million couples in the reproductive age group of 25-49 yrs suffering from sub-fertility or lifetime infertility.  Present operational 1750+ IVF centers PAN India are unable to sustain the demand, leading to longer wait time at patients’ end.  To meet the present demand adequately there is a need for 5000+ IVF centers with minimum of 2 full time embryologists.

India is underpenetrated market for IVF:

India is an extremely underpenetrated market for IVF, currently the size of Indian IVF industry is about $625 million and according to recent studies, it is estimated to touch $1.45 billion by 2026.  The country faces two-pronged social dilemma in its battle against infertility, one of Indians gradually adopting western lifestyle without realizing the adverse impact. This is one of the most prominent reasons for the continuous rise in infertility rates. The second being the urge for parenthood propelled by societal pressure on couples to have children.  The twin factors combined with rising infertility makes Indians prime candidates for IVF treatments.

Recognize infertility at par with other diseases :

Affordability of IVF is perceived to be costly, although India offers one of the most economical IVF in the world. With the cost of one full IVF cycle at USD 2000 (approx. 1.5 lakhs), people from the socio-economic background of middle class or above earning around Rs. 10000 a month have the capacity to go through one IVF cycle giving them a significant chance to conceive. Alternatively, to increase access and familiarity for IVF treatment there is a need for regulators and government authorities to recognize infertility at par with other diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, etc.

Mr. Vinesh Gadhia, India CEO, ART Fertility Clinics opines, ‘India needs about 5,000 IVF centres to meet the demand. At ART Fertility Clinics our target is to process 40,000 cycles in 5 years with 1,250 cycles in the first year and progressing to 12,000 cycles by 2026. We aim to transform IVF (In-vitro fertilization) sector in India by implementing the state-of-the-art technology and most stringent IVF protocols (ESHRE) across all our centres. IVF is science assisting nature and we aspire to be an essential bridge in helping couples to attain their dream of parenthood. ’

 Dr. Gurpreet Kalra, Medical Director, ART Fertility Clinics say, ‘“In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a symbol of hope to many women who face difficulties in conceiving naturally. The discovery of the technique marked a major medical advancement which is a boon for infertile people all over the world.  ART Fertility Clinics aims to transform IVF technology sector in India by implementing more advanced use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in diagnosis, inspection and other solutions like pre-genetic testing. AI makes embryo selection more effective on platforms like Embryo Ranking Intelligent Classification Algorithm (ERICA)”

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Misters, India’s leading men’s sexual wellness website released new data around sexual desire in men. The data reveals that men’s sexual desire is far from the stereotype of all men being always keen to have sex. More than 10% of all men who took the Misters Sex Quiz, report zero frequency of sexual desire, and fewer than 32% of men report some sexual desire daily.

However, on a closer look, male desire is itself layered. “A significant percentage of men across four adult age groups report that they never feel sexual desire. While there is an increase in this percentage with age, we must first juxtapose the significant numbers reported with the socio-cultural expectation that wanting to have sex always is an intrinsic attribute of masculinity

It is easy to see the tremendous stress that this expectation places on men who never experience, and also easy to imagine the tragic coping mechanisms these men may have to develop—say, overcompensation, or a fear of intimacy—given the mismatch. This is but one of the reasons why the expectation needs to be interrogated.

If we look deeper into what men are saying to Misters, we find that even among those who do feel the desire the story still has layers. It is by no means ‘always’, and in a significant number of people it is actually much rarer than anything in popular culture will have us believe.

As we can see, male desire while expected to be experienced more than once a day—as represented by the red sliver of the pie charts above—that is hardly the norm. In fact people who report that level of frequency of desire are a minority across age bands. Again we see a pattern of diminishing frequency of sexual desire as men age.

So, why are these numbers changing with age?

The hormone, testosterone, is widely known as the definitive male hormone. What is not as widely known is that it is natural for testosterone to peak in early adulthood, and subsequently drop steadily in the body. Some reliable estimates suggest that this drop is as much as 1% per year from around 40 years of age. Certain medications, injuries, and illnesses can cause a more abrupt fall.

In the west, a number of men in their 40’s and more men in their 50’s consider testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to fight signs of male ageing. This is oversold, of course, because to consider it as a panacea for all issues faced by men is deeply flawed, and TRT typically is accompanied by unpleasant side effects. Like any other treatment in allopathic medicine, it is important to take advice from a qualified doctor before going for TRT.

Suhas Misra
CEO of Misters

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As we age, we experience a slow-down in Vitality, sex drive, energy levels and face age related issues such as fatigue, joint pain, wrinkles, hair-loss, reduced mental and cognitive function etc. Here are some of the science-backed pathways, that will help us turn the clock backwards, look, feel and perform better.

1. Optimise Nutrients Level:

Micronutrients such as Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, and Iron level are very important nutrients that you should take in sufficient amount for the proper functioning of your body. The normal level of vitamin B12 in your bloodstream lies between 190 and 950 (pg/mL). However, for having an ideal vitality and performance level, vitamin b12 range should be above 700 (pg/mL).

2. Maintain Hormone Balance:

The balance of key hormones such as Testosterone, Cortisol, DHEA is important to improve your vitality. Our body drops 1-3% hormones every year after the age of 30 and it accelerates due to unmanageable stress. Testosterone is responsible for the sex drive, and muscle gain which further improves through strength training. Recovery through deep sleep promotes serotonin hormone that helps with mood regulation and feeling of well-being.

3. Shift to an Active Lifestyle:

Having a healthy and active lifestyle can boost up your vitality and energy level to a next level. Make sure that you take a protein-first diet, develop strength training routine, and improve core-strength or posture through Yoga to reduce the chances of sexual dysfunction. Moreover, smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol, obesity and diabetes can also reduce your vitality.

4. Develop a Positive Mindset:

Stress is inevitable and sometimes moderate stress is good and keeps us motivated. A better mindset and good self-esteem promotes feeling of confidence & vitality. Surrounding yourself around positive people, and meditating for at least half an hour can help you enhance and increase your vitality.

5. Improve Circulation & reduce Inflammation:

The antioxidants such as vitamin A, E, and omega 3 fatty acids can boost circulation and reduce inflammation and promote cell repair. Poor circulation can lead to cardiac conditions and also erectile dysfunction where the blood flow is impaired. Exercise is an excellent way to increase your overall circulation through increased blood flow.

Mr. Vikas Gupta
Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer
MyDiagnostics

The post Men’s Vitality – Top 5 Ways to Improve appeared first on Health Vision.

Pee Safe, India’s leading hygiene and wellness brand is eyeing a transformation in the way India perceives contraceptives. The brand has announced its foray into the female condoms category, thereby challenging stereotypes around contraceptive use among women and addressing a market that has so far been non-existent.

Studies suggest that the female condom is a dual protection tool for both prevention of HIV/ AIDS transmission and unwanted or unplanned pregnancies. Currently, there is a huge lack of awareness about these in India. By launching the female condoms, Pee Safe aims to bring about a shift in preference among Indian women and offer them the benefit of uninterrupted pleasure without other worries.

According to Technavio, the APAC region is set to be the fastest growing region for female condoms with India and China being the driving forces. The global market size for this product category is approximately 800 million.

Pee Safe has always taken the unconventional approach towards breaking taboos and stigma around issues surrounding women. Be it personal or menstrual hygiene or introducing and creating awareness around sustainable period and sanitation products, Pee Safe has been a forerunner. It was also one of the first few brands to have created a buzz around menstrual cups and encouraged women to use it.

Speaking about this, Vikas Bagaria, Founder, Pee Safe, said, “The female population today is woke and aware of their rights, including those related to hygiene and sexual health. Internet penetration has further influenced buying behaviour. Our aim is to not only address this segment but also ensure that we play a part in preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like AIDS. Pee Safe is a brand that is continuously striving to address the needs of its TG through new and innovative products and awareness campaigns.”

Pee Safe’s female condoms are relatively simple to use and can be worn for up to 8 hours, thereby promising uninterrupted pleasure for both partners. The condom must be inserted before any contact occurs between the vagina and the partner’s body to prevent any infections.

Pee Safe has been advocating the cause of personal hygiene since 2013. Over the years, the brand has created market leadership in various product segments and has developed goodwill and trust among’st its consumer base. The brand’s products are currently available in modern trade, general stores, airports, organized stores across 50+ cities, online at www.peesafe.com and across leading e-commerce platforms .

Since inception, Pee Safe has diversified into products including eco-friendly Sanitary Pads, Organic Cotton Tampons, Menstrual Cups, Panty Liners, Natural Intimate Washes, Wipes and Sweat Pads for both men and women, and Pollution Safe Anti-Pollution Dust Masks. Pee Safe has also launched its products in the subcontinent region and plans to expand its reach globally in the next five years.

Pee Safe is India’s fastest growing personal hygiene brand founded by Vikas and Srijana Bagaria. Their flagship product called the Pee Safe Toilet Seat Sanitizer Spray was launched in  2013 after the initial testing phase among family and friends. It is currently the world’s highest-selling toilet seat sanitizer spray. Since 2017,, the company has expanded into several personal hygiene categories including feminine hygiene and care (biodegradable and reusable sanitary pads, feminine cramp relief roll on, tampons, menstrual cups, intimate wash, breast pads etc), men’s hygiene (intimate wash, intimate power, undergarment sanitizer), alcohol free hand hygiene (Palm Safe) and outdoor care (Pollution Safe, Mosquito Safe.

Just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Raho Safe, a high-quality and affordable line of hygiene products was launched under the same parent company. The range includes different types of face masks including anti-dust, cloth, and innovatively designed children’s masks; a multipurpose surface protectant, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, surface disinfectant spray, a hand wash, amongst other hygiene products.

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Family planning and birth control have gathered much importance in the recent days thus increasing the demand for contraceptives.  These contraceptives can help in avoiding unintended pregnancies which is one of the crucial public health issues worldwide. The multiple options available today have helped couples plan their family.

A woman can get pregnant when a man’s sperm reaches one of her eggs and fertilize it. Contraception is a way to stop pregnancy by keeping the egg and sperm apart, stops egg production and also prevents the fertilized egg from attaching to the lining of the womb.

There are many contraceptive methods to suit different needs. Listed below are a few popular types of contraceptives: Barrier methods, Emergency Contraception Pill, Permanent Contraception, Long-acting Reversible Contraception and Hormonal Contraception.

1. Barrier Method:In this method, a barrier is used to stop the sperm from entering the vagina. There are two barrier methods: Male and Female Condoms. The ‘male condom’ is one of the most popular contraceptives, where a thin latex or polyurethane sheath is placed around the erect penis before intercourse. The ‘female condom’ is placed inside the vagina before intercourse.

2. Emergency Contraception Pill: This method is followed to prevent pregnancy after sex if contraception was not used. The pill can also be taken if the condom used was ruptured. The pill contains special doses of female hormones. Though the pill is also known as ‘Morning After’ pill, it can be effective up to five days after having unprotected sex. The sooner you take it, the more effective it will be.

3. Permanent Contraception: One should opt for this method only if they are certain that they do not want children in thefuture. This method prevents all future pregnancies and is almost impossible to reverse. That is the reason this method is popularly called as ‘Sterilisation’. The method involves vasectomy and tubal ligation done by a trained health care provider.

4. Long-acting Reversible Contraception: As the name implies, Long-acting Reversible Contraception is reversible birth control that provides long-lasting pregnancy prevention. As you do not have the compulsion to remember it every day, this method is also called ‘fit and forget’ contraception. There are two types in this method: Intra-Uterine Device (IUD) and Implant.

In the Intra-Uterine Device, a T-shaped device is placed inside the woman’s uterus by trained health care provider. Depending on the type of device used, the IUDs can be in place for three to ten years. In the second method, a doctor inserts an ‘implant’ (flexible rods) under the skin of a woman’s upper arm. It releases progestin hormone to prevent pregnancy for three years.

5. Hormonal Contraception: As the name indicates, this contraceptive method uses ‘hormones’ to prevent pregnancy. Hormonal contraception is available in the form of pills and as Depo Provera injection. The pills come in two types: Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill and Progestogen-only Contraceptive Pill. The first type of pills, when taken regularly, prevents a woman’s ovary from releasing an egg during her cycle and the second type of pills (Progestins) makes the mucus around a woman’s cervix thick and sticky and prevent the sperm progressing towards the egg.

If you do not want to take the pills every day, you can opt for the Depo Provera Injection which is given every three months into a woman’s buttock or the upper arm and each injection prevents ovulation. The latest to be added is in this category is the NUVA RING. It is a hormonal method but unlike pill, it is not necessary to take it every day. It is fitted by the user in the vagina once in every 21 days.

Having listed the popular contraceptive techniques, you should be aware of the birth control methods which do not work well. The ‘withdrawal method’ of contraception is widely practised. In this method, the penis is quickly withdrawn from the vagina before ejaculation. The goal is to prevent the sperms from entering the vagina and prevent pregnancy. But the withdrawal method is not an effective form of birth control as the chances of sperm entering the vagina is high if the timing isn’t worked out properly. Also, the pre-ejaculation fluids could contain sperm leading to pregnancy. It is always advised to take the necessary precautions before having sex.

Dr.Anuradha Lokare
Consultant-OBG,
Columbia Asia Hospital Hebbal, bengaluru

The post Contraceptives – most popular types to suit different needs appeared first on Health Vision.

 Men have considerable sexual and reproductive health (SRH) requirements such as services for contraception, sexual dysfunctions, prevention and handling of HIV, infertility, male cancers and erstwhile sexually communicated infections. Yet these SRH needs are often unmet due to a combination of factors, which include lack of service availability, poor health seeking behaviour among men and SRH facilities often not being seen as “male friendly spaces”.

Need for equal and shared responsibility

There is a need for equal and shared responsibility to be taken by men and women in all areas of sexual and reproductive health. This requires working at different levels with varying partners to address the norms that undermine access and perpetuate gender inequality.One of the challenges is lack of male involvement in family planning. The low levels of men’s involvement are reflected, to an extent, in the very low use of male contraceptives. According to the latest data presented in Parliament by union health ministry in 2019, the national average for current use of male family planning methods i.e. male sterilization and condom) is only 5.9%. Male sterilization declined from 1% (NFHS-3) to 0.4 % (NFHS-4).

Significant barriers remain towards increasing male involvement in family planning. One of the barriers is the perception that contraception is a women’s issues. As per NFHS 4, three in eight men believe that contraception is women’s business and that men should not have to worry about it. Secondly the acceptance of male methods of contraception is marred by number of myths and misconceptions. Perceived procedure related barriers are the most important cause for not accepting vasectomy. There has been many discussions and concerns regarding probable negative health consequences emerged from vasectomy.

Increasing male participation in family planning 

Increasing male participation is an integral part of family planning programme intervention. To increase male participation in family planning Government of India is moving forward in a more systematic and sustained efforts such as training of service providers in No Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV) to enhance the pool of service providers, substantial increase in the compensation for male sterilization under the enhanced compensation scheme for sterilization, observation of ‘Vasectomy Fortnight’ every year in all states, condom boxes set up in facilities to enable clients to access condoms in privacy and a 360-degree media campaign underlining the role of men in family planning to encourage men to adopt family planning methods.

Reasons Vasectomy is unpopular:

• Unmet need for family planning expressed by women is found to be more than that by men.
• Socio cultural belief is that family planning is woman’s responsibility.
• Though awareness about vasectomy, not many know about less traumatic, simpler technique of NSV thus, fear of procedure and pain.
• Misconceptions: fear of loss of libido, physical strength
• Family Planning linked largely to Maternal Health and men are left out
• Ground force of health workers mostly women (ASHAs, ANMs) find it easier to convince women for female sterilization
• Shortage of NSV providers
• Very few accredited private health facilities
• Administrative level barriers and delays in the conditional cash transfer.

Several features of Vasectomy:

• Less invasive with minimal tissue trauma,
• Lower discomfort and complication rates,
• No incision, no stiches,
• Faster completion of procedure,
• Minimal post procedure pain and bleeding
• Speedier recovery as compared to recovery after the conventional procedure.

FPA India has long recognized the importance of working with men and boys as clients, partners and agents of change in efforts to promote gender sensitive and rights based sexual and reproductive health services, including Family Planning. Innovative strategies for demand generation and advocacy, quality assured service delivery and capacity building of service providers have been the key markers to improve the uptake of NSV in FPA India.

FPA India is one of the largest sexual and reproductive health organisations in the country. It works to empower all, to enjoy their sexual and reproductive health choices and rights in an India free from stigma and discrimination. FPA India pioneered the family planning programme in India in close collaboration with the government in the 1950s. Since then FPAI has been contributing to Government of India’s national health programme with a pan India presence including West Bengal. Through its 45 branches and projects across the country, FPA India reaches out to over 30 million people every year.

Ms Amita Dhanu
Assistant Secretary General (Programme Implementation)
FPA India

Co-Author: Dr Nilesh Patil, Technical Programme Manager and Project Lead, FPA India

The post Contraception is not a woman’s responsibility alone appeared first on Health Vision.

During the teenage phase, everybody experiences sudden changes inside the body as well as outside. These changes being uncomfortable, initially often creates confusion and instills a sense of awkwardness among the teenagers. One of the many new things males often face is the condition of nightfall.

What is nightfall?

Due to the hormonal changes happening inside the body and the physical changes happening outside the body the condition of nightfall occurs. Because of this, young men often face increased uncontrollable sexual urges even while asleep. Sometimes because of this sexual peak, even their dreams would be adulterated with sexual thoughts, causing an involuntary ejaculation in their sleep. This whole phenomenon is associated with nightfall.

Reasons for nightfall

Apart from the uncontrollable changes happening to the body which causes emotional changes too, there are other factors too that contributes to nightfall. The easy access to sexual content on internet and television causes the young adults to constantly be in loop of such thoughts. Apart from this, sex being a taboo in the society also causes the young minds to be uncomfortable discussing their problems with the adults.

This causes the spread of rumors and wrong knowledge among the youth and often corrupts their minds and sometimes causes them to indulge in wrongful activities. Also, stress and restlessness, especially at nights can cause nightfall.

Symptoms of nightfall

Nightfall involves sexual peak, especially at nights and can normally occur in individuals of all age group.  The symptoms may vary from individual to individual and it is not a disease condition. Rather it is simply a natural phenomenon that occurs. It does not weaken or taint the personality of anybody, rather if talked to adults or doctors, they can be properly treated.

Treatment

The treatment of nightfall would depend on the individual seeking help.

1. Changing the lifestyle and having a proper balanced diet can contribute in decreasing the effects of this condition.

2. Including physical activity or any kind of short exercise or aerobics, on a daily basis can help improve the condition.

3. Also, yoga and meditation is encouraged among the individuals suffering from nightfall.

4. Including habits of reading good books and indulging into social work can be of help too.

5. Most important of all, seeking medical advice or reaching out for help, especially from adults and doctors is essential during this stage.

6. Like most of these conditions, it is all in the head. Reaching out to people who would give proper advice and would genuinely help out is important.

With proper counseling and with simple changes in the lifestyle, nightfall can be completely dismissed. Also, staying away from individuals who spread false facts and myths regarding this condition is necessary. Spreading correct knowledge and reaching out to people who may be undergoing nightfall should also be encouraged. Having healthy interaction about sex among new adults should be encouraged, instead of shunning it away as a taboo.

Also Read: SHOULD YOU BE CONCERNED ABOUT NIGHTFALL? 

Dr. Azim Ahamed Roy, Ayush Health Clinic
#15, 2nd Floor, 2nd Block,
2nd Stage 12th Main,
Opp. Rajajinagar RTO,
2nd Block,
Rajajinagar, Bengaluru – 560010
Ph : +918970934699

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